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Career Information
Nuclear medicine technology combines chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer technology, and medicine in using radioactivity to diagnose and treat disease. Though there are many diagnostic techniques currently available, nuclear medicine uniquely provides information about both the structure and function of virtually every major organ system within the body. It is this ability to characterize and quantify physiologic function which separates nuclear medicine from other imaging modalities, such as x-ray. Nuclear Medicine procedures are safe; they involve little or no patient discomfort and do not require the use of anesthesia.
Nuclear Medicine Technologists administer ionizing radiation and other forms of energy to provide technical and pathological information to help a physician diagnose and treat diseases and injuries.
The Department of Medical Laboratory, Imaging, and Radiologic Sciences offers two pathways into the bachelor of science in radiologic sciences degree program with a major in nuclear medicine technology. College students with no previous healthcare credentials may transfer 60 semester hours of liberal arts courses (junior transfer), or those certified in a radiologic science may obtain advanced professional studies (degree completion program).
Following is information for junior transfer students. For information about the degree completions, contact the Office of Academic Admissions.
Professional Tasks and Working Environment
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The nuclear medicine technologist aids in diagnosis by producing images or information of the function and structure of body organs using radioactive pharmaceuticals. Responsibilities generally include laboratory preparation, quality control and intravenous administration of radioactive pharmaceuticals; patient preparation and care in positioning for imaging procedures; monitoring operation and quality control of computer-intensive imaging equipment; and monitoring radiation safety equipment and clinical instruments. The nuclear medicine technologist takes an active part in data and image acquisition and in image processing and analysis.
The nuclear medicine technologist may focus on one area, such as nuclear cardiology or nuclear oncology, or may function in the general imaging area. Baccalaureate-level education often leads to specialization in cardiology, management or fusion imaging technology.
The Nuclear Medicine Technology B.S.R.S. degree program is a 2+2 transfer program. Sixty credit hours of freshman and sophomore core courses are completed at the college of choice, after which the applicant applies to transfer to GHSU for the N.M.T. professional component during the junior and senior years.
The programs are flexible to accommodate busy lifestyles. Clinical affiliates are located in Augusta, Athens, Atlanta, Gainesville, and Columbus, Georgia. Academic course work and clinical attendance require 40 hours per week, regardless of locale.
Graduates are eligible for certification exams of the American Registry of the Radiologic Technologies and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board.
Skills and Interests Suited to a Career in Radiologic Sciences
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An individual entering this field should have technical and math/science proficiency, computer literacy, self-motivation, empathy, emotional stability, people skills and a strong work ethic. Graduates work directly with patients to obtain diagnostic information or to treat with ionizing radiation.
Related career interests include nursing, medical technology and other patient contact-related fields.
Practice settings include hospitals, outpatient imaging clinics and radiopharmacies. The nuclear medicine program provides clinical and didactic instruction in general nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography, computed tomography, and nuclear cardiology imaging. As these technologies grow, career opportunities grow as well.
Many nuclear medicine technologists work in cardiology offices or clinics and in P.E.T. imaging centers.
Mean annual salaries of nuclear medicine technologists were $68,240 in 2005. Nuclear medicine technology salaries have broad regional variation. Mean salaries in the Southeast were at $67,110 in 2005. Entry-level salary is $52,000 annually.
- Application Deadline: APRIL 1 – FALL ENTRY
Applications and supporting materials received after the program deadline will be considered on a space-available basis only.
- Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are required from all colleges ever attended. Transcripts should be mailed to GHSU’s OAA directly from the Registrar’s office of the institution. Applicants may also deliver or mail transcripts to GHSU’s OAA if the transcript remains in the original, unopened, sealed and stamped/signed envelope from the Registrar’s office at the institution.
- Transcript/credential evaluation of foreign transcripts: An official, professional course-by-course evaluation is required for all foreign educational transcripts and documents from one of the following three credentials evaluation services: Josef Silny & Associates, Inc., World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
- Two Application Reference Form: An Application Reference form must be submitted from each referee. Referees should be individuals qualified to assess applicants prior academic, work, research and/or clinical experience as applicable.
- SAT and/or ACT Scores: Must be reported, but are not currently used in the applicant ranking process.
- General GPA and Math/Science GPA: A General Grade Point Average of 2.5, and a Math/Science Grade Point Average of 2.3 must be achieved to be considered for an interview. Most candidates accepted for the NMT program have a GPA of 3.0 or above.
- Program Supplemental form
- TOEFL exam scores: Minimum score of 550 paper-based, 213 computer based or 79 internet based.
- Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test scores are required for applicants whose first language is not English. The institution code for submission of TOEFL scores to GHSU is 5406. Please do not select a department code.
PROGRAM SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
- Personal Interview
- Documentation of Clinical Shadowing: A letter on the institutional letterhead of the facility where Nuclear Medicine observation/shadowing took place must be submitted no later than April 1. A minimum of 8 hours observation for certified healthcare workers, and a minimum of 8 hours of shadowing for non-healthcare workers is required.
In addition to demonstrating personal characteristics appropriate for a health professions career, students must satisfy general and specific technical standards. Visit www.georgiahealth.edu/alliedhealth/brt/NMedStandards.htm to review these requirements.
Computer and Internet-Supported Programs
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Students must have access to a highspeed (DSL or cable) personal computer. Most student and faculty communication, projects and research require Internet interaction and many lectures are presented online for repeated viewing. GHSU faculty and technical staff are available for technical and instructional support seven days a week.
GHSU participates in all federal student aid programs as well as state and private programs. GHSU helps students fund their education through grants or scholarships, loans, a service commitment program and/or employment. Scholarships are available to rising seniors. Foreign national students need to contact the admissions department to establish residency.
Online nuclear medicine programs are offered with clinical education in Athens, Atlanta, Gainesville, and Columbus, Georgia. Contact the Office of Academic Admissions for more information. Students in the distant program meet with faculty at Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville once or twice a week, and travel to the Augusta campus three or four times a year for laboratories and advisement.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1970
Chicago, IL 60601-2208
Tel: (312) 553-9355
Nuclear Medicine Technology
Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Techonology
2000 W. Danforth Rd., Ste 130 #203Edmond, OK 73003
Tel: (405) 285-0546
Fax: (405) 285-0579
Web: www.jrcnmt.org
For best chance of acceptance, apply the fall before the program begins. Application materials should be in GHSU’s Office of Academic Admissions by April 1. Applications completed after this date are considered on a space-available basis. Complete applications include the application, references, official academic materials, documentation of shadowing hours, and documentation of professional certifications, if applicable. Completion of pre-requisites does not guarantee acceptance. Documentation of current CPR and First Aid certification is required upon enrollment. Accepted students must also undergo a criminal background check and drug screening.
Apply online at www.georgiahealth.edu/Admissions, or contact:
Office of Academic Admissions
170 Kelly Building–Administration
Georgia Health Sciences University
Augusta, Georgia 30912
Telephone: 706-721-2725
800-519-3388
E-mail: Admissions@georgiahealth.edu
Courses to Take the First Two Years
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The courses required to graduate comprise a core curriculum divided into six categories (Areas A-F). The options for completing these prerequisites for transfer to GHSU are listed below. Course can only be used in one area.
| A. Essential Skills |
9 semester hours |
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| English Composition I |
3 hours |
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| English Composition II (literature-based) |
3 hours |
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College Algebra, Mathematical Modeling,
Trigonometry, Pre-calculus or Calculus |
3 hours |
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| B. Institutional Options** |
4-5 semester hours |
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Introduction to Computers
Critical Thinking
Creative Writing
Ethics
Health and Wellness
Statistics
Economics
Speech
Medical Terminology
Any approved guided elective from Area F |
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| C. Humanities and Fine Arts** |
6 semester hours |
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Ethics
Foreign Language
Speech, Oral Communications
Literature
Philosophy
Drama, Art or Music Appreciation
Logic
Electives in Humanities and Fine Arts
Religion |
| D. Sciences, Mathematics and Technology |
12 semester hours |
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| 12 semester hours in chemistry and physics sequence, including laboratory. |
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| E. Social Science** |
12 semester hours |
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United States History
United States Government
Other History
Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
Lower-division electives in Psychology and Sociology
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| F. Courses Appropriate to the Major |
18 semester hours |
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| Anatomy and Physiology I and II w/labs |
8 hours |
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| Chemistry or Physics w/lab (If not taken in Area D) |
4 hours |
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| Medical Terminology |
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Approved guided electives:
Statistics, Precalculus, other Math, Science,
Business/Management, Education, Health Professions,
Developmental Psychology, Speech.
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** If a student planning to transfer to GHSU from another school in the University System of Georgia has completed this area with courses taken there or at another institution from which GHSU accepts transfer credit, GHSU will accept the area as satisfied. However, applicant must meet program-specific prerequisite requirements.
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For estimated tuition and fees, please see the Tuition and Fees section of this catalog.
